Myanmar Short Break Cycle Tour – 11 Days

Myanmar Short Break Cycle Tour – Cycle the beautiful flat lands of Myanmar’s central west. Meet the warm people, discover their lifestyle, and see the amazing temples of Bagan. The recent interest in Myanmar as a destination means that everyone is talking about it, but only a few will have the pleasure of seeing it in it’s current form. Now is the time to visit a country that has been shrouded in mystery for too long.

Cycle the beautiful flat lands of Myanmar’s central west. Meet the warm people, discover their lifestyle, and see the amazing temples of Bagan.

The recent interest in Myanmar as a destination means that everyone is talking about it, but only a few will have the pleasure of seeing it in it’s current form. Now is the time to visit a country that has been shrouded in mystery for too long.

Cycle from the last royal capital of Myanmar, Mandalay, down to the ancient 9th to 13th century capital of Bagan (Pagan). Along the way, experience genuine, rural Myanmar as we ride through charming Monywa, visit a beautifully decorated cave complex and cruise on the impressive Irrawaddy River.

After exploring the Bagan Plain we cycle to the impressive Mount Popa, a volcanic mountain from which we see a stunning view of the surrounding countryside and where we can learn about the 37 Nat spirits and their important to Burmese people.

Day 01: Yangon Arrival

Day 02: Yangon-Mandalay, Arrival day

Day 03: Day Ride Mandalay-Amarapura 25km

Day 04: Cycle to Monywa 90km

Day 05: Cycle to Bagan via the Phwintaung Caves 60km

Day 06: Cycle to Mount Popa 55km

Day 07: Cycle to Bagan via Kyakpadan 55km

Day 08: Pagodas Day Ride Bagan 25km

Day 09: Optional Ballooning Activity

Day 10 : Bagan – Yangon Sightseeing

Day 11: Yangon Departure

Style

fully supported cycling

Tour Leader

this tour will be lead by one of our experienced and charming Myanmar cycling leaders

Bike
Included in the tour price. Giant,Trek and Merida Mountain Bikes adjusted for touring.

Difficulty
(1 = easiest, 10 = hardest)

Cycling Conditions
We cycle on sealed roads most of the time, but these can often be in disrepair. We have some riding on unsealed roads and tracks.

Day 01: Yangon Arrival ( D )

Arrive in Yangon where you will be welcomed by your local tour guide and transferred to your hotel. Late afternoon visit the magnificent Shwedagon Pagoda of Rudyard Kipling fame and one of Myanmar’s most sacred places. The massive bell shaped stupa is plated with gold and the tip of the stupa is set with diamonds, rubies, sapphires and topaz – a stunning sight as the sun sets and a most fitting place to begin our trip in this “GoldenLand”.

Biking distance : No

Day 02: Yangon-Mandalay, Arrival day ( B )First day pick up from hotel and transfer to airport to fly Mandalay. Arrive at Mandalay Airport pick up and transfer to hotel. We will have a short city tour after the hotel procedures. Teak temple Shwenandaw and Kuthodaw Pagoda with the massive marble slabs will be recommended. Besides, you can enjoy the fresh air of the city by visit the surrounding moat.
Stay overnight in Mandalay.

Biking distance : 45 Km

Day 03: Day Ride Mandalay-Amarapura ( B , L )
Mandalay was the last royal capital of Myanmar and was ransacked by the advancing British forces. The former royal complex was destroyed in a fire during World War II, but you can still see the impressive walls and moat. We take a cycle beyond the bustle of the city to see the villages that exist around the periphery. Here we find a peaceful way of life, centered around the cycle of the farming seasons and traditional life. In the dry season while the land lays fallow, the villagers dedicate their time to traditional crafts such as making robes for monks, snacks to sell in market or other skills that have been passed down to them. Time permitting we take in the wooden monastery and Mandalay Hill before returning to the hotel.

Biking distance : 60 Km

Day 04: Cycle to Monywa ( B ,L, D )
We set out for our first long ride today. We start out by following the Irrawaddy River from town and cross over onto the triangular piece of land between this and the Chidwin River at Sagaeng, home to hundreds of gold tips stupas. We continue a flat ride, stopping along the way for some delicious local snacks and we finish up the day with a drive into town. Monywa is a rural trading center with a very small tourist industry emerging. We enjoy an authentic local meal this evening.

Biking distance : 90 km

Day 05: Cycle to Bagan via the Phwintaung Caves ( B , L , D )
This morning we set out by crossing the Chidwin River on a small ferry. We then find ourselves on the more remote western bank of the river. Here we encounter fewer vehicles and many more surprised faces as we pedal down the quiet trails and roads to the Phwintaung Caves. These sandstone caves are a real treat. There are around 900 individual caves and while we won’t have time to explore them all, we’ll visit some of the most richly decorated. We then continue on our merry way and after visiting a small village, typical of this area, we drive to Pakokou where we board a boat to complete our journey on the Irrawaddy to Bagan. We arrive as the sun dips low in the sky, spotlighting the pagodas of the Bagan Plain, turning them a rich orange color.

Biking distance : 70 km

Day 06: Cycle to Mount Popa ( B , L , D )
Today we find some hills again as we leave Bagan and climb up to the volcanic Mount Popa, home of the 37 Nat. The ride is on good road as we start with a flat section, then meet some steep, but relatively short hills to get to our destination of the Mount Popa Resort with a clear, fresh pool and a view of the hill-top temple. In the afternoon, those wanting to get up close and personal with the tales of the Nat spirits can join your tour leader for a visit to Taung Kalat.

Biking distance : 65 Km

Day 07: Cycle to Bagan via Kyakpadan ( B , L )
A flying downhill starts us off into the valley and onto Kyakpadan. After a stop at the local tea house for snacks, we will look through the produce market in Kyakpadan before riding to Bagan by a different route. An afternoon by the pool may be a good way to unwind and enjoy the warm afternoon.

Biking distance : 80 km

Day 08: Pagodas Day Ride Bagan ( B , L )
The pagodas of the Bagan Plain are best visited early in the morning as the sandy landscape heats up by the middle of the day. We make good use of an early start and focus our visit on the temples that were built between 14th and 19th centuries: Shwezigon, the Sulamani, the Htilominlo, the Dhammayazika. In the late morning we find a shady tree to enjoy lunch under and then have an afternoon of free time before we find a quiet to enjoy a peaceful sunset overlooking the pagodas.

Biking distance : 60 km

Day 09: Optional Ballooning Activity ( free day ) ( B )
The ideal timing for Balloons Over Bagan, a professional ballooning operation based in Bagan. They run sunrise balloon flights that are considered some of the best ballooning in the world. We can arrange this for you. Prices are approximately $330 per person. Please inquire when booking on the tour if this interests you.